Summer's here and you're probably thinking about what you should use to exfoliate your skin. But let's dial things back a bit and first answer the question, "Why should you exfoliate?" (Other than the fact that the Internet and your dermatologist are constantly telling you that it's important, of course.) As we get older, our bodies slow down their processes of skin elimination, so they need a little bit of extra help shedding dead skin cells. When these cells pile up it can make your skin look dull, dry and rough, and can increase excess oil and clogged pores; all of which leads to acne and blemishes.
This is where exfoliation comes in: The process gets rid of those pesky dead skin cells to make room for new ones to grow, while also making your skin appear smoother and more glowy. Especially in the summer, when you're exposed to a lot of sun, salt and sand, it's important to smooth out your skin with an exfoliator to prevent dryness and blackheads, and to get rid of all the added oil build-up from sunscreen. This process also uncovers new cells, which opens the way for moisturizer to penetrate your skin more effectively.
Despite all of this evidence that I should be doing it regularly, I tend to personally skip out on exfoliating. I find the products to be too rough on my skin (especially if I have any sort of sun burn or damage) and I can never seem to clean the residue out of my shower — I'm fairly certain I have exfoliator to blame for my drain being clogged. That's all about to change though...
Luckily, there is a product that provides the same (if not better) treatment to your skin without all the pesky, messy side effects: The Dew Puff Konjac Sponge.
Dew Puff Asian Clay Konjac Sponge, $9, Amazon
The sponge is made from an Asian root vegetable called "Konjac," otherwise known as "Elephant Yam" (isn't that so cute?!) that has a lot of wellness benefits and is totally organic. It removes toxins and impurities to give you an all-natural, healthy glow — without the harsh chemicals that are used in so many other exfoliators.
It's super gentle, which makes it ideal to use during the warmer months because over exfoliating before sun exposure can make your skin more susceptible to damage. You can use the sponge every day on your face and your body, with your regular cleanser or soap, or with just plain old water.
The sponge is reusable and easily sanitized, but it's very important that you clean it after you use it to prevent any bacterial buildup (this is true of all sponges... including the ones in your kitchen), and replace it after a month.
To see more about how the Konjac Sponge works, take a look at all the benefits in the video below.
Happy exfoliating! And remember, rehydrate your skin with a body lotion or oil after to make sure you maintain smooth and glowy skin this summer.
Images: Courtesy of Brand
